Excelsior Correspondent
![Congress leader Manjit Singh addressing public meeting at Vijaypur on Sunday.](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/page5.jpg)
Samba, Dec 1: Former Minister and senior Congress leader Manjit Singh today appealed State Government to incorporate 73rd Amendments of Panchayati Raj Act in J&K to strengthen Panchayats.
Speaking at a largerly attented meeting of Congress workers at Vijaypur Mr Singh stressed for the empowerment of Panchayats in J&K. Expressing commitment of the Congress party, he said, they would continue their efforts to force the Government for the implementation of 73rd and 74th Amendments Acts in J&K’s Panchayati Raj Act.
Referring to the demands of refugees/displaced persons, Mr Singh appealed the Government to pass the one time settlement package in State Cabinet.
“The issue is pending since long and it should be immediately passed in next Cabinet meeting by the Government,” Mr Singh added.
He further demanded that the backward class status should be given to the border areas for the benefit of the people.
The Congress leader said that special recruitment drives should also be conducted for the youths of border areas in Jammu and they should be given compensation at par with Kashmiri Pandits.
Recalling recent firing by Pakistan on Indian border villages, he said, that the Government should construct safe buildings and given 5 marla land for the border people.